Sonny Liston
World Heavyweight Boxing Champion · Boxing
Professional Boxing
Era
1960s
Item Type
Full unused ticket stub
Condition
The ticket itself is in Very Good to Excellent condition with vivid orange coloring, while the signature shows fading due to age and light exposure.
Rarity
Extremely rare, as signed tickets for major 1960s championship fights like Patterson vs. Liston seldom surface on the market.
Overall Assessment
An exceptionally desirable piece of boxing history featuring a scarce ticket from a legendary championship bout, though the signature requires physical in-person third-party authentication to confirm final grade and value.
Authenticity Assessment
Uncertain - requires professional authentication due to signature fading and glare on the ticket stub
Signature Style
Compact and hurried signature written directly onto the ticket stock, showing characteristic blocky letter forms typical of Liston's later signing habits.
Signature Characteristics
Blocky, heavy-handed letter construction with noticeable upward slant and consistent moderate pen pressure.
Ink & Medium
Blue or black ballpoint pen ink typical of the era, showing mild fading over decades.
Item Description
An original full ringside ticket stub for the Floyd Patterson vs. Sonny Liston World Heavyweight Championship fight held at Comiskey Park on September 25, 1962, encased in a protective grading holder.
Estimated Value
1500 to 5000 USD depending on authentication grading and confirmation of the signature.
Comparison to Known Examples
Matches standard exemplar patterns for Sonny Liston's signature during his championship reign, though visibility is limited by the lighting in the image.
Authentication Tips
Compare letter slant, baseline pressure, and the formation of the 'S' and 'L' against authenticated exemplars from the early 1960s.
Certification Recommendation
PSA/DNA or JSA (James Spence Authentication)
Red Flags
The autograph is partially obscured by glare and the protective holder, making detailed forensic examination of pen lifts difficult without direct scans.
Provenance Notes
Originates from a collector holding vintage boxing memorabilia; third-party slab encapsulation adds baseline security.
Historical Context
The September 25, 1962 bout saw Sonny Liston decisively knock out Floyd Patterson in the first round to capture the World Heavyweight Championship, marking a monumental shift in boxing history.
Market Trends
Vintage heavyweight boxing memorabilia, particularly involving iconic figures like Sonny Liston and Muhammad Ali, has seen strong and steady appreciation.
Investment Potential
Strong long-term investment potential due to historical significance, scarcity of signed tickets from this specific historic bout, and strong collector demand for 1960s boxing icons.
Similar Autographs
Floyd Patterson signed tickets, Muhammad Ali signed 1964 Cassius Clay fight programs, Rocky Marciano signed items.
Display & Preservation
Keep stored in UV-protected acrylic holders away from direct sunlight and extreme temperature fluctuations to prevent further fading.
Interesting Facts
Liston's signature is notably scarce compared to contemporaries because he was often reluctant to sign items outside of official promotional appearances.